What Is a Prepaid Funeral Plan?

With climate change, terrorist attacks and financial crises dominating the daily headlines, there’s plenty for us to worry about while we’re alive – never mind what happens after our death. A prepaid funeral plan allows you to bypass such stress by paying for the costs of your funeral up front, so that your family don’t have to after you pass on.

Prepaid funeral plans have become increasingly popular over recent years, as more and more people are looking to take the pressure off their loved ones and lock in a service at today’s prices in one fell swoop. Still unsure about what prepaid funerals are, how they work and why you should consider one? Read on.

How do funeral plans work?

Prepaid funeral plans allow you to cover the costs of your funeral now, so that your loved ones won’t be lumped with the bill after your death. Unlike an insurance policy, there is no chance that you will pay more into the plan than you get out, since all the costs are fixed from the outset. However, it should be remembered that your family will not receive a lump sum payment at your death; rather, the money invested will go towards covering the costs of the funeral alone.

Funeral plans can be purchased from a funeral plan provider or directly from a funeral director. Many companies will stipulate that you must be at least 50 years of age before purchasing a funeral plan, though others will accept applicants aged 18 and up. One of the chief advantages of buying a funeral plan now is that you can lock in a service at today’s prices, which is a good idea as the costs associated with funerals are only expected to rise in the coming years.

What is covered in a prepaid funeral plan?

A basic funeral plan will likely include care of the body between death and burial, coffin, hearse and transport. It will also probably cover the fees charged by a funeral director for arranging and overseeing the service. However, it’s unlikely to cover extra costs, such as those associated with obituaries, headstones, flowers, catering or additional transportation.

Each funeral plan provider differs slightly on what they offer, so it’s important that you compare and find a funeral plan that’s right for your needs. Make sure you read the small print and understand fully what is and isn’t included in the service so that your family members do not face unexpected costs further down the line.

How much do funeral plans cost?

Just as funeral plan providers will offer different services, they will also charge different prices for their individual plans. A basic funeral plan is likely to cost anywhere between £3,000 and £5,000, and most providers have a range of options on offer so that you can choose the option that meets your budget and requirements.

You can make payments into your funeral plan in monthly or yearly instalments, or in a one-off lump payment if you prefer. In the case of death before the plan is fully paid up, your surviving family members will be required to pay the deficit, or the money will be returned to them (minus a cancellation fee). Remember that paying off the plan more quickly will result in fewer charges, but may impact your finances more heavily in the short term. Assess all of your options before making a decision.

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What is a Direct Cremation?

A Direct Cremation is an alternative to the traditional funeral. This involves the cremation of the deceased without a funeral service. A Direct Cremation is generally the most economic option because costs of the coffin, preparation of the body, funeral service and expensive transportation are not included. However, many people choose Direct Cremations for reasons other than expense, for example:

- Wanting to have a memorial at a different time to the cremation

- Expressed desire from the deceased to not have a ceremony

- Individuals with relatives who face big physical or geographical challenges in coming together for a ceremony

Funeral Choice charity donation

To redeem the £20 charity donation all you have to do is select the charity from the dropdown list in the Make Contact form. Once you have confirmed arrangements with that funeral director send us an email to
info@yourfuneralchoice.com confirming the service has been arranged. After we receive this email we will make the donation to the chosen charity and confirm back to you.